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Defeats for Labour in Stoke-on-Trent Central and Copeland on February 23 would be unprecedented in the history of by-elections, which almost never see Opposition parties lose seats during a Government's term in office.

But Ukip leader Paul Nuttall's decision to stand in Stoke, which he described as 'the capital of Brexit', indicates his belief that he can make good on his promise to replace Labour as the party of the working class in the Midlands and north of England.

There are also concerns over Copeland, where the Tories have narrowed the gap in recent years.

Mr McDonnell's insistence that the shake-up of British politics caused by Brexit means Labour cannot be judged on past performance could spark concerns in the party.

But he said he thinks Labour will win both polls.

The shadow chancellor told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show yesterday: 'Since Brexit you can't calculate by-election results on what's gone on in the past so what we're going to do is fight for every vote, and that's what we're going to do.

Jamie Reed (file picture left) and Tristram Hunt (file picture right) have both abandoned careers as Labour MPs to take up new jobs, triggering difficult by-elections in Copeland and Stoke

Ukip leader Paul Nuttall (pictured outside the BBC yesterday) is running to be the next Stoke MP in what would be a major by-election upset

Asked if he was preparing to lose, Mr McDonnell replied: 'Not at all, we're preparing to fight this vote by vote and I think we're going to win because we'll have strong local candidates campaigning, yes on Brexit, but also on the NHS.

'And remember, Paul Nuttall wants to privatise the NHS, I think people will wake up to those threats and as a result I think we will win.'

Mr Reed has quit Parliament to take a new job at the Sellafield nuclear plant in his constituency, citing the challenges of working in Westminster far from his family.

He was today made the Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead - an historic office of the Crown which disqualifies him as MP.

The process is necessary because there is way for MPs to actually resign.

Mr Hunt is to be new director of the Victoria and Albert museum and said he was only quitting politics fora dream job.

Under a similar procedure, he was made Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell (pictured on yesterday's Andrew Marr programme) has denied suggestions Labour is preparing to lose the two by-elections